Business

World Food Prices Dip in October, but Remain Higher Than a Year Ago

Business A worker carries loaves of bread for sale at a bakery in the capital city of Cairo, Egypt November 4, 2026. (Reuters)

World Food Prices Dip in October, but Remain Higher Than a Year Ago

World food prices edged lower in October as weaker import demand contributed to monthly declines in cereal, dairy and meat prices, but were still nearly 6%…

Business Copper at the Aurubis copper smelting and refining plant in Hamburg, Germany. (Reuters)

Copper Falls, Set for Worst Week Since March on AI Rout

Copper dropped on Friday and was set for its biggest weekly drop in London since March, as a rout in technology stocks battered markets. Benchmark three…

Asharq Al Awsat
Business Workers walk at Kalyon Karapinar solar power plant in Karapinar, Konya province, Türkiye, Oct. 14, 2026. (AP)

Emerging Economies Set to Match Advanced Nations’ Renewable Capacity Additions, IEA Says

Emerging ‌and developing economies outside China are expected to add as much new renewable energy capacity as advanced economies for the first time over…

Business Gold bracelets displayed in a shop window on Green Street, east London, UK, April 30, 2024. (AFP)

Gold Drops Over 1% on Higher Oil Prices; US Payrolls Data in Focus

Gold prices slipped on Friday as oil prices rebounded, fanning inflation worries and higher-for-longer interest rate expectations, while investors awaited key…

Business A pumpjack operates near Bakersfield, California, on Oct. 16. (AFP)

Oil Set for Sharp Weekly Drop but Middle East Supply Concerns Provide Floor

Oil prices are set for a sharp weekly drop on expectations of a de-escalation of the Iran war after US President Donald Trump's party suffered election losses,…


Business The Iraqi flag flutters in front of a gas field. (AFP)

Iraq to Exploit Flared Gas in Cooperation with the US

Iraq and the United States signed on Monday memoranda of understanding (MOUs) to capture flared gas and transform it into electricity, in an attempt to solve…

Asharq Al Awsat (Baghdad)
Business Travelers are seen at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia Sets Record for Air Traffic in 2023

Air transport traffic in Saudi Arabia in 2023 registered a record number of nearly 112 million passengers through various airports in the Kingdom, with a…

Business The Kingdom's abundant mineral wealth, estimated at SAR9.4 trillion ($2.5 trillion), presents a crucial opportunity to expand non-oil revenue streams alongside the oil and petrochemical industries. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia's Mining Boom: Expected Wealth to Top $2.5 Trillion 

The mining sector in Saudi Arabia is undergoing a significant transformation that will transform it into a key pillar for the nation's economic diversification…

Business A project belonging to Abu Dhabi's TAQA in Fujairah. Photo: The company's website

Abu Dhabi's TAQA Confirms Talks with Spain's Naturgy Shareholders

Abu Dhabi's TAQA on Wednesday said it was in discussion with the three largest shareholders of Spanish energy firm Naturgy, including Criteria and two private…

Asharq Al Awsat (Madrid)
Business FILED - 18 December 2023, Hungary, Budapest: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, speaks during a press conference in Budapest. Photo: Marton Monus/dpa

Erdogan: Türkiye Will Take Steps to Strengthen Economic Program

Türkiye will take steps to strengthen its medium-term economic program and the three main priorities are to increase public savings, prioritize investments and…

Asharq Al Awsat (Ankara)
Business Muslims arrive at a field during sunrise to offer special morning prayers to start the Eid al-Fitr festival, which marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan in Abu Sir on April 10, 2024. (AFP)

Egypt’s Finance Minister Says Cutting Inflation Is Priority 

The Egyptian government's main priority is to reduce inflation to within the central bank's target, Finance Minister Mohamed Maait said on Tuesday, adding that…

Business IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva (C-R) delivers remarks after accepting the ISO 20121 certificate from BSI Group Commercial Director Tim Wren (C-L) during a ceremony as part of the 2024 Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG) in Washington, DC, USA, 15 April 2024. EPA/SHAWN THEW

IMF Warns of Escalating Israel-Iran Conflict

IMF Chief Economist Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas warned on Tuesday that a broader conflict between Israel and Iran could push energy prices up, forcing…

Asharq Al Awsat (Washington)
Business El Palito refinery of the Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA is seen, in Puerto Cabello, Venezuela February 10, 2024. (Reuters)

Oil Prices Dip as Demand Worries Outweigh Mideast Supply Fears 

Oil prices extended losses on Wednesday as worries about global demand due to weak economic momentum in China and a likely rise in US commercial stockpiles…

Business A gas flare on an oil production platform is seen alongside an Iranian flag in the Gulf July 25, 2005. Reuters

Biden to Face Oil Challenges with Iran Without Antagonizing China

In the wake of Iran's April 13 attack on Israel, experts are divided on whether the US will tighten oil-related sanctions on Tehran, with some expecting swift…

Asharq Al Awsat (Washington)
Business The International Monetary Fund (IMF) HQ2 Atrium on day 2 of the 2024 Spring Meetings of the IMF and the World Bank Group (WBG) in Washington, DC, USA, 16 April 2024. EPA/SHAWN THEW

IMF Raises Growth Forecast for Saudi Economy to 6% in 2025

The International Monetary Fund has raised its expectations for Saudi Arabia’s economic growth in 2025 to 6 percent – up from 5.5 percent predicted in January…

Asharq Al Awsat (Washington)
Business  US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen speaks during a press conference amid the IMF-World Bank Group spring meetings, at the Treasury Department in Washington, DC on April 16, 2024. (AFP)

Yellen Says Iran’s Actions Could Cause Global ‘Economic Spillovers’, Warns of More Sanctions

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned Tuesday of potential global economic damage from rising tensions in the Middle East and pledged that the US and its…

Business Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar chair the Saudi-Pakistani Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC)  in Islamabad on Tuesday. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia, Pakistan Seek to Boost Trade, Support Investors

Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are seeking to bolster economic cooperation, boost the trade exchange between them and support investors to expand their work in the…

Business Al-Fursan Suburb... One of the housing projects in the northeast of the Saudi capital, Riyadh (National Housing Company)

Saudi Real Estate Experts Forecast Surge in Residential Property Demand

Saudi Arabia’s property prices rose by 0.6% in the first quarter of this year, mainly due to a 1.2% increase in residential property prices. Government…

Asharq Al Awsat
Business A Saudi citizen buys sweets from one of the major stores in preparation for Eid al-Fitr (SPA)

Saudi Inflation Slows to Lowest Level Since 2021

In March, inflation in Saudi Arabia slowed down to its lowest level since 2021, hitting 1.6% annually compared to 1.8% in February. This drop was mainly…

Asharq Al Awsat
Business With the help of the companies that participated in the forum, the workforce is anticipated to grow to over 200,000 by next year - SPA

NEOM Hosts Global Contractor Forum to Shape Future Projects

NEOM, the sustainable development taking shape in the northwest of Saudi Arabia, brought together over 100 of the world’s leading construction companies for a…

Asharq Al Awsat
Business MENA’s gross domestic product (GDP) is forecast to rise to 2.7% in 2024, which is a tepid increase from 1.9% in 2023.  (Reuters)

World Bank Expects MENA GDP to Rise to 2.7% in 2024 Amid Heightened Uncertainty

The World Bank’s new Middle East and North Africa Economic Update, entitled “Conflict and Debt in the Middle East and North Africa”, shows that lackluster…

Business Gold bars are displayed at a gold jewelry shop in the northern Indian city of Chandigarh November 4, 2009. REUTERS/Ajay Verma/File Photo

Gold Rises After Iran Attacks Israel

Gold prices rose on Monday, attracting some safe haven bids, while oil prices were choppy after Iran's retaliatory attack on Israel over the weekend stoked…

Asharq Al Awsat
Business The new logo of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) building is seen in Mumbai, India, July 12, 2023. REUTERS/Francis Mascarenhas/File photo Purchase Licensing Rights

Indian Shares Fall as Middle East Tensions Spook Investors

Indian shares fell on Monday as investors sold riskier assets after Iran's retaliatory attack on Israel over the weekend spurred fears of a wider regional…

Asharq Al Awsat
Business A view from the southern Gaza strip shows drones or missiles vying for targets in southern Israel, early 14 April 2024. (EPA)

Europe Aviation Agency Urges Caution in Israeli, Iranian Airspace 

Europe's aviation regulator reaffirmed advice to airlines to use caution in Israeli and Iranian airspace though it said no civil overflights had been placed at…

Business The central bank effectively revised upwards the Turkish lira share in the banking system,- File photo

Türkiye Central Bank Posts $25 bln Loss for 2023

Türkiye's central bank posted a 2023 loss of 818.2 billion lira ($25.25 billion), showed its balance sheet published in the Official Gazette on Sunday, on the…

Asharq Al Awsat
Business Arab financial markets have been experiencing significant ups and downs due to geopolitical tensions and economic factors.  (Reuters)

Arab Financial Markets Await Developments After Regional Escalation

Arab financial markets have been experiencing significant ups and downs due to geopolitical tensions and economic factors. Investors are closely watching…

Asharq Al Awsat (Riyadh)
Business A complex of pipes used for the export of crude oil in a dock that is part of the Ecopetrol refinery, is seen in Cartagena, Colombia April 12, 2024. (Reuters)

Oil Prices Fall After Iran Attack as Market Draws Down Risk Premium 

Oil prices fell at Asia's open on Monday, as market participants dialed back risk premiums following Iran's attack on Israel late on Saturday which the Israeli…

Business  Saudi Minister of Finance Mohammed Al-Jadaan gestures as he speaks during the Saudi Green Initiative Forum, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, October 23, 2021. REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri

Saudi Finance Minister Heads Kingdom's Delegation ‏to IMF-WBG 2024 Spring Meetings ‏

Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan will lead the Kingdom's delegation at the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Group 2024 Spring Meetings in…

Business The Algerian president receives the Spanish Foreign Minister on September 30, 2021. (Algerian News Agency)

Gas Is Stronger Than Politics between Algeria, Spain

Algerian gas topped Spain’s gas imports during the first quarter of 2024 despite a trade rift between Algiers and Madrid over the Sahara conflict. According…